“When [Mediacorp] called, they said that it was an emergency and hoped that I could help,” says Lawrence. “So I discussed with my management and we shuffled around the jobs that I have on in China. But I would have to film a movie in China concurrently [with My One In A Million] so I would have to fly back and forth, and they said they would also try to accommodate my schedule. The thing is, I’ve always wanted to come back to Singapore and act — it’s something reporters have been asking me. And I guess this is the time to come back in my own little way and ‘add oil’ to the local scene.”

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Lawrence steps in

Lawrence, who will play a charismatic TV producer opposite Carrie Wong in Million, tells us that he did not know Aloy personally but was “in disbelief” when he heard the news about the latter’s passing. “It took me while to process it. I was very sad. Singapore lost a bright talent, a bright star. Like a lot of Singaporeans, I was very affected [by his death],” says Lawrence.

Did he have any reservations about taking on the role? “Not really ’cos I do like the script. What went through my mind was what could I bring to the role? Could I do it justice?” says Lawrence. “Also somebody has to do the role. Somebody has to take on the role. And I believe Mediacorp must have been quite kancheong to ask me for help and I’m glad they asked me. And I will do my best to bring justice to this role that was supposed to be his.”

As for the inevitable comparisons viewers will make between him and Aloysius, Lawrence says he won’t be too bothered about it. “I have friends who said that I will definitely be attacked, criticised and hated on [for taking on the role]... But to me, somebody’s gotta do it. And as long as I do my best and give my best, that’s all that matters.”

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Watch this space

My One In Million will also mark Lawrence’s first Ch 8 lead role. Does the actor who used to play supporting roles on Ch 8 before hitting the big time in Yanxi Palace feel any different about his new status? “It feels the same actually,” says Lawrence, who will start work on Million at the end of this month. “An actor’s work is the same no matter whether you are playing the lead or a supporting role. Your work process is all the same. And I think nowadays it’s no longer the case where only the leads will shine. As long as you are doing well, you will still get positive reaction from the audience. Take Hai Lan Cha, for example. He was nowhere near the first lead but the role still managed to break through.”

So what is Lawrence, who’s been based in China for the past three years, looking forward to the most now that he's going to be back home? “You can say it’s a bit like a homecoming… working with the people I’ve worked with before,”’ he says. “And of course being able to sleep in my own home and on my own bed (laughs).”

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He's red-dy

Lawrence performing at the Hunan TV Lunar New Year Show with his Yanxi Palace love interest Jiang Zixin aka the ill-fated Ming Yu. His appearance on the widely-telecast variety show marks the first time a local star has participated in a Chinese New Year show of this scale in China.